- Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press: As of yesterday, the Jets and pending UFA Olli Jokinen have had limited contact. Should expect the Jets payroll next year to be around $65 million. The Jets could take the $3 million or so it may have used on Jokinen, invest it elsewhere, and potentially have a spot open for prospect Adam Lowry if he’s ready. Issues remains that if you do that and he’s not ready, you now have a hole at the third line.
- Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette: When P.K. Subban’s gets his new contract, it will eat of most of their remaining cap space. Brian Gionta wants to return, but how much of pay cut will he take and is he fine with a one-year deal? Lars Ellar could take a short-term deal and a raise from his $1.5 million. Mike Weaver could serve as an insurance policy behind youngsters Nathan Beaulieu and Jarred Tinordi. Now that Andrei Markov is back, don’t expect any big moves from the free agent market. Peter Budaj could be traded. At the draft, they could focus on size, especially up front, and character players with potential.
- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford wants to upgrade their third and fourth lines, but he hasn’t really said who he want to keep and who he wants to replace. Tanner Glass’s agent,
“Some preliminary discussions with Jason a few months ago” but that he has “not spoken with Jim or Jason since management/coaching changes.”
Joe Vitale and defenseman Deryk Engelland’s agent said they have not had any contract talks with the Penguins.
- SportsNet: The Blackhawks could be looking to trade Patrick Sharp, using as trade chip to land a center. Sharp has a modified no-trade clause and carries a $5.9 million cap hit.
